Rivermen lose to Rampage 5-1; Bishop wins All-Star berth

Sunday

Jan 22, 2012 at 12:01 AMJan 22, 2012 at 9:04 PM

Ben Bishop experienced highs and lows over a 24-hour stretch in Texas on Friday and Saturday.

The Peoria Rivermen goaltender had his worst outing of the season — allowing six goals in a loss Friday — then endured another tough start Saturday in a 5-1 loss to the San Antonio Rampage before 7,871 at AT&T Center.

But in between those two losses, he confirmed he’s won a spot in the AHL All-Star Game and Skills Competition, which is Jan. 29-30 in Atlantic City.

Journal Star Staff

Ben Bishop experienced highs and lows over a 24-hour stretch in Texas on Friday and Saturday.

The Peoria Rivermen goaltender had his worst outing of the season — allowing six goals in a loss Friday — then endured another tough start Saturday in a 5-1 loss to the San Antonio Rampage before 7,871 at AT&T Center.

But in between those two losses, he confirmed he’s won a spot in the AHL All-Star Game and Skills Competition, which is Jan. 29-30 in Atlantic City.

“It was definitely exciting news,” Bishop told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch before Saturday’s game. “That should be a lot of fun to go up to Atlantic City and represent the Rivermen and Blues organization ... it’ll be an honor.

“I feel like I’m playing the best I’ve ever played. I think the experience in the AHL has definitely helped. You always say you’re ready for the NHL, but I think the years down in Peoria really helped me out. So hopefully, I can take that to the next level and produce at the NHL level.”

The AHL has not made an official announcement on Bishop’s addition to the Western Conference roster. But St. Louis Blues general manager Doug Armstrong says the player and team has been notified.

“Ben Bishop has played very good in Peoria,” Armstrong told the Post-Dispatch. “He was named to the All-Star team today, which is a great feather in his cap.”

Evgeny Grachev, meanwhile, scored his first goal with the Rivermen when he beat goaltender Dov Grumet-Morris during a power play for a 1-0 lead just 2:34 after the opening faceoff.

Bishop stopped two odd-man breaks in a scoreless second period to hold Peoria in it.

But the Rampage scored twice in 81 seconds late in the first period — including a game-winner from former Rivermen and Blues defenseman Tyson Strachan.

They took a 3-1 lead at 11:45 of the third when Jonathan Cheechoo’s turnover led to a two-on-one break off which James Wright scored.

RIVER READINGS: The Rivermen called-up left wing Josh Lunden from ECHL Las Vegas on Saturday morning as injuries mounted on the AHL team’s roster. Lunden played and was sent back to Las Vegas after the game. ... Peoria checking line winger Tyler Shattock dropped out of the lineup Saturday with an upper body injury. The Rivermen are already without center Phil McRae (upper body) and checking line winger Stefan Della Rovere (upper body).